Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announces the Pakistani Government’s plans for AI investment.

On Monday 9th February, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, made an announcement about the government’s investment plans for AI. He made the announcement during INDUS AI Week 2026 (9th-15th February), a week-long event celebrating innovation across Pakistan led by the Ministry of IT & Telecom. The core objectives of the event were to ‘set the national strategic direction, position Pakistan as a global tech destination and mobilise nationwide movement’. INDUS AI Week is described as, “Pakistan’s official national platform for artificial intelligence, initiated to align policy direction, industry adoption, talent development, and innovation under a single coordinated framework.”

On the first day of this ‘national platform’ the Prime Minister addressed attendees, informing them of some of the Government’s plans for AI investment, including that they would be investing a whopping $1 billion by 2030. Other notable plans included:

  • introducing an AI curriculum in ‘all schools,’ including in remote parts of Balochistan
  • providing 1,000 fully funded PHD student scholarships in AI by 2030
  • launching a nationwide programme to train 1 million non-IT professionals in AI
  • focusing AI skills on supporting on agriculture, mines and minerals
  • aiming to empower youth – noting this as 60% of the country’s population.

IT Minister, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, mentioned that ‘the Pakistan Digital Authority was preparing a nationwide digital master plan to guide future transformation’.

“Pakistan is absolutely ready to accept the challenge and walk with our global partners, absolutely with great commitment and dedication.” – Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif

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References

  1. Asia News Network (2026) ‘Pakistan to invest US$1bil in artificial intelligence by 2030, announces PM Shehbaz’. Available at: https://asianews.network/pakistan-to-invest-us1bil-in-artificial-intelligence-by-2030-announces-pm-shehbaz/ (Accessed: 16 February 2026)
  2. INDUS AI Week (2026) ‘About INDUS AI Week 2026’. Available at: https://indusai.gov.pk/about (Accessed: 16 February 2026)
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  • Kat Cauchi

    Kat is the former editor of R.I.S.E. Magazine. She is the chair of the BESA Women’s Educational Suppliers Network, a Global Equality Collective member, InnovateHer ambassador and TechUpWomen Mentor. She is a also a 2023 #TechWomen100 award winner and 2022 Nexus Education award winner.

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